METALLICA - Pro-Shot Footage Of First Ever Live Performance Of 'Escape' Online: "The Song We Never Wanted To Play Live Ever Is Now On The Setlist"

June 24, 2012, 2 years ago

hot flashesnewsmetallica

On June 23rd - Day 1 of Orion Music + More - METALLICA performed 'Escape' from Ride The Lightning for the first time ever. Check out the pro-shot footage below:
As previously reported, BW&BK has received the complete setlist and a brief overview of METALLICA's June 23rd Orion Music + More show at Bader Field in Atlantic City, NJ courtesy of Canada's Lithium Magazine:
"As far as Metallica goes - what does a bad Metallica show even look like, I ask you? On the Orion Stage, in front of an estimated 45,000 to 50,000 fans, they ripped through a powder keg two-hour set of material that book ended the entire Ride The Lightning album, performed in its entirety (backwards, starting with 'Call of Ktulu'). For new attendees that were perhaps unfamiliar with Metallica’s live sets, there was much hype on hearing Ride The Lightning track 'Escape'. As Hetfield talked about the fact that they had not played the song live and were hoping for a little back-up support from the crowd, fans started chanted the chorus of 'The Frayed Ends of Sanity', which was adapted into a quick jam at the end of 'Escape' to cheers of elation from the crowd. For myself, this was the first time I'd heard 'Escape' live. 'Trapped Under Ice', my favourite track from Ride The Lightning, was also a high point for me. If I've seen the song performed live before, it was maybe once and I can't quite recall when it was, so it was a welcome treat for the ears.
A requisite amount of Metallica pyrotechnics were blasted off. Tonnes of fireworks, concussion blasts, and 80-foot high flames that lined the entire back portion of the Orion stage area heralded the end of Orion Day one. Fans (myself included) left the festival grounds in a sombre fashion, dumbstruck by ten hours of relentless music in the baking sun. What little energy I had left was spent walking off the Bader Field grounds, relishing a comfortable bed and a good night’s sleep, before heading back to the festival grounds to do it all over again today."
Go to this location for a complete rundown of the day's events.